20 Ways to Avoid Peer Pressure

It’s OK to use an excuse if the truth is too challenging. For example, if someone offers you a drink and you want to say no but feel awkward, say you’re on medication or have to get up early the next day. Your life counts, and you can make a difference in this world. If you ever need to talk about this or anything else, feel free to get in touch with us.

• But with the friendship and social circle comes peer pressure.
• You may have a child who, like Jeff, seems to have been born resistant to peer pressure.
• Internal conflicts or external pressures might make you wonder if something sinister is going on.
• This allows parents to view their child as a victim, which is useful when it’s true, but counterproductive when it’s not.

For all questions please contact the AACAP Communications Manager, ext. 154. They can help each other develop new skills, or stimulate interest in books, music or extracurricular activities. It’s difficult when you feel you know the “right” answer, but it’s more important to let your child figure how to deal with peer pressure it out if they’re willing and it’s safe to do so. Work to create an environment where your child knows you are available and able to talk whenever they might be feeling pressure. Keep an open mind, listen without judgingand help your child form their own opinions regarding what’s best for them.

Convey Feelings and Emotions

Peer pressure of another kind occurs with teens suffering from low self esteem or a higher than usual level of passivity. In these cases the teen needs help developing a strong enough internal compass and sense of self to confidently make independent choices. Encourage your child to seek out positive relationships and to choose friends who respect them and do not put unfair pressure on them. Friends and classmates can influence decisions, especially during the adolescent and teenage years. You deserve to surround yourself with supportive people who respect your decisions—not people who pressure you into doing something that doesn’t feel right. Pick up your child from events where alcohol or drugs may have been consumed.

For all of these reasons, peer pressure can be a great positive and negative force of influence on a teen. Parents may be concerned about what happens if the pressure teens feel from their peers is pushing them in the wrong direction, such as towards drugs, drinking, or dating. Part of the balancing act for parents is to help their teen mature while at the same time making sure their teen does so safely and securely. This article will provide parents with tools to help teens identify a risky situation and suggest ways parents can help their teen say “No” when feeling pressured to do something they don’t want to do.

Discover God’s Freedom from Pornography

Speaking negatively about life and saying words that suggest that the teen has given up all hope. Withdrawal from activities and social groups that the child once enjoyed.

Their influence begins at an early age and increases through the teenage years. It is natural, healthy and important for children to have and rely on friends as they grow and mature. As your child grows throughout middle and high school, they develop their own set of values—what’s right and wrong, and what’s good and bad. Your influence is definitely important, but now they are heavily influenced by their classmates and friends.

What strategies can help handle negative peer pressure?

Dealing with these emotions can be hard, so use a journal to sort out your feelings and help you cope with the stress. It should be ok to say “no” without needing to apologize or give an explanation.